Shannon and I have mentioned before that we’re deeply impressed by the loving relationship Bill and Vonette Bright shared together. Her husband Bill went to be with the Lord in 2003, but Vonette (now in her early eighties) continues to be vibrant and active in the Lord’s work.
Take a look at Mrs. Bright’s “quick facts” and see how she has been at the core of Campus Crusade’s growth and development since day one. She lives here in Orlando.
In early July she did take a fall which has slowed her down a little. She broke her right ankle in 3 places. Mrs. Bright is receiving both occupational and physical therapy and doing well. The doctor gave her a good report on her last visit to his office. We do not know when she will be able to go home, but hopefully soon.
In spite of having to disappoint staff and others by cancelling travel and speaking engagements, her spirits are good. Please do lift her up in prayer.
Below is a message from Mrs. Bright which she sent out to staff just a couple of weeks ago:
(We have edited the message from the original text for brevity)
Dear Staff and Friends,
I learned long ago that nothing happens by accident and when we trust God and know our lives are in his hands, we can rejoice in knowing that He is in control. Like Bill, my husband did, I am rejoicing in the midst of pain and disappointment and I am seeking to learn all that I can from our wonderful Lord and make the very most of this opportunity. The great joy that has come to me from all of your expressions of love through e-mails, cards, flowers and numerous other ways thrills my heart to overflowing. I feel so blessed by your love and want to thank each of you for every expression you have made.
Yes, I am being a good patient! It is not easy to sit still and not be able to do anything. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that God is sufficient for every need. I have trusted him for strength in times of overwhelming responsibilities, feelings of inadequacy and over-commitment. His strength has always been available. Now I am finding out His strength is still available to be still and know that He is God.
You will be pleased to know that the ambulance attendant on the way to the hospital in Tulsa responded positively as I had a chance to share my faith with him. If he was not sure of his salvation before, I believe he is now. A couple of days ago one of the women in my rehab group prayed with me to receive Christ. God had put her so much on my heart as I watched her depressed countenance for several days and saw her struggling through therapy. She has lost both lower legs as a result of diabetes. As she shared her story with me, I asked her if she had faith and her answer was, no, not really. I asked if we might get together and she responded positively. As we met a couple of days later she was so open. Now I ask you to pray for a new sister that she will find God sufficient for her every need. I rejoice at every smile I see in her face and look forward to seeing greater reality of evidence of Christ in her life.
Please continue to pray that I will be an instrument of God in this place and many people will be brought into a closer relationship with Him. I covet your prayers for complete recovery. In the meantime, I have the most colorful cast with purple, bright yellow and striking colors. It has been fun to see people’s reactions. I always explain my 11-year old granddaughter chose the colors. It is interesting that in the midst of pain and disappointment, God always gives a delightful, lighter side. Thank you for being so faithful in loving me.
Campus Crusade for Christ Founder Bill Bright was an incredible leader. He passed away in 2003 after struggling with pulmonary fibrosis. His wife (co-founder of CCC) Vonette is still quite active in the ministry and resides in Orlando. Although much can be said about all that Dr. Bright did, it’s most impressive to see how he loved his wife and family.
See this video clip from Bright Media. About 6 min total. It is well worth your time! It starts off with the early days of Bill Bright and the history of Campus Crusade for Christ. But it really focuses on his great relationship with Vonette.
Staff member Ian Finnan in Australia has a weekly “show” where he interviews people of interest who are helping to expand the Kingdom of God through a variety of occupational means. He hopes to inspire students with a vision of how the Lord might use them through their talents and abilities. Ian asked me to talk about my role with technology and how this helps grow the Kingdom of God.
The podcast is called “LifeLine.” Turn on your speakers and click here to listen. I always get a grin when i hear the “Aussies” talk. It is about a 5 minute interview.
Our friend and neighbor Kristina did a great job with the annual Hand Clan photo shoot. It was a windy day so it was more than a challenge. It’s more than a challenge just to get all 5 of us to look at the camera! No doubt Kristina is extremely talented and enjoys photography very much. She’s got an eye for it.
Yesterday I ran a 10k race over in Titusville, FL. Hats off to the folks at Christ Community Church for hosting the first annual “Get Up and Go 5k and 10k.” All the pre-race, during race and post race details were handled quite nicely – especially for a first time event. It was a really nice course too. Although it was muggy (typical central Florida morning) this race was very enjoyable.
My good friend David Wood came along as well. In fact, he volunteered to be my “personal pacer” for the day to help push me on towards a decent goal. Actually he did such a good job I now bestow upon him the title P.P.P. = “Professional Personal Pacer.” We negotiated the contract to include 50% of my race awards – which meant he was entitled to half of my post race banana.
I’ve gotta hand it to Mr. Wood. He kept me on a consistent pace and pushed me pretty good in mile 4 and 5. He definitely had it in him to leave me in the dust after mile . . . oh, .05 or so. But he graciously held back and stuck by my side for the encouragement and pacing. And it worked!
I would have most likely posted a finishing time 90 seconds to 2 minutes slower than I did without my PPP pulling me along. Good testimony to the power of encouragement and personal motivation through pursuing goals together with a friend.
So we made it in 47:59 (ok well perhaps the race clock showed 48 flat but I was going by Mr. Wood’s watch which, since I paid him the big bucks, I am certain he synchronized perfectly with the race clock). This wasn’t a PR for me but came in the neighborhood of it – 40 seconds or so slower. However, 48 was the goal and we nailed it. So, all in all, not bad.
I enjoy running and the 10k distance (6.2 miles) is probably my favorite. Now I’ll probably have to re-negotiate my contract with Mr. PPP to get him to pull me along again. Next time a bagel too, Mr. Wood?
Just a few miles down the road from our neighborhood was once the site of practice range for the old Army air base in Orlando. Training aircraft would drop bombs and all kinds of ordinance across this swampy area. Back in the 40’s this wasn’t a big problem – the area’s only inhabitants were aligators and a few cattle.
Flash forward 60+ years and the bombing range is now covered with neighborhoods, a shopping plaza and a middle school!
Apparently the boundary areas for the range were never clearly marked on a map. Or if they were, that map has become long lost to the Air Force and the city of Orlando.
Back in the spring some kids playing in the woods behind the local middle school literally stumbled across a half buried bomb. The Army Corp of Engineers was contacted and the bomb was soon detonated safely on site. At first it appeared that this was very much a stray bomb, but more searches have uncovered quite a bit of ordinance. Mind you the bombs haven’t exploded in over 60 years, but most do in fact have live detonators attached to them.
The middle school was even closed and sectioned off for a brief time during the summer. See CNN’s story on the bombs
Needless to say, public reaction to having bombs in their back yard hasn’t been too cheerie. The media has had a hay day with this one.
“The soul never thinks without a mental picture” – Aristotle
MySoularium.com Check out this very creative approach to dialogue with spiritual seekers via a set of photos. Campus Crusade developed this new outreach about a year and a half ago.
Many students are responding and asking to “see” more of the gospel. Check out what my friend and fellow staff member Jerry blogged about it here on the Eministry Notes site: Soularium – A Great Way to Connect.
